The race for this year’s Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Championship is heating up, with four schools emerging victorious after a competitive second round that began with eight contenders all vying for a place in the next stage. 

Round Two officially opened on February 25, setting the tone for three days of spirited exchanges, sharp rebuttals, and thoughtful analysis. 

The opening debate saw Wesley High School, who was proposing the motion, take on Portsmouth Secondary School, opposing, on the topic: “Parents, not schools, should be primarily responsible for disciplining students for acts of digital peer-to-peer violence committed outside of school hours.” 

Representing Wesley High School, Hephzibah Ademola and Niola Alleyne delivered a confident and well-structured presentation, earning a combined total of 662 points to secure the win over Portsmouth Secondary School’s Kerensa Joseph and Angeline Duogene, who scored 558 points.  

Ademola’s commanding delivery of the motion earned her the Best Speaker award. 

Later that day, Isaiah Thomas Secondary School, proposing the motion, took on Convent High School in another highly anticipated matchup. Kianna Aaron and Allick Stedman secured 625 points for Isaiah Thomas Secondary, outperforming Convent High School’s Sienna Andrew and Mia Joseph, who earned 590 points.  

At the conclusion of the debate, Aaron was awarded Best Speaker in recognition of her confident and impactful delivery. 

On February 26, the competition shifted to public health, with debaters addressing the motion: “Nutrition education is more effective than food restrictions in preventing NCDs among teenagers.” 

Proposing the motion, reigning champions Dominica Grammar School, represented by Micaela Benjamin and Lydia Joseph, advanced to the next round after defeating Castle Bruce Secondary School’s Micah Lawrence and D’Neesha Cornelius, with a final score of 658 to 597. Lydia Joseph was recognized as Best Speaker for her strong and effective delivery during the debate. 

The final debate of Round Two was held on March 4 and featured the same motion. St. Martin Secondary School, proposing, went head-to-head with Orion Academy in what became the highest-scoring debate of the round. 

Shanaiyah John and Kurdez Simon of St. Martin Secondary School delivered an outstanding performance, securing 681 points. Orion Academy’s Taya Charles and Kruz Ferreira earned 623 points for their efforts. 

St. Martin Secondary School advanced, and Kurdez Simon was named Best Speaker. 

Following the competitions, organizer Trudy Christian praised the students for their dedication, preparation, and articulate presentations throughout the competition. She also expressed heartfelt appreciation to the sponsors for their continued investment in education. 

Special recognition was given to headline sponsor Josephine Gabriel & Co. Ltd., as well as major sponsors Central Cooperative Credit Union, DOMLEC, ICWI, KFC, Lindo Mart and Dominica Social Security for their unwavering support.